1 John 2:3

1 John 2:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
• New International Version (NIV)We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
• New Living Translation (NLT)And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.

Context of 1 John 2:3

1My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

1 John 2:3 word by word

καὶ ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἐγνώκαμεν αὐτόν, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηρῶμεν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• herebyοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• weγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• doἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• we keepτηρέωtēreō · to keep: observeG5083
• commandmentsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• commandmentsἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785

Cross-references for 1 John 2:3

• 1 John 2:4He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
• 1 John 4:13By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
• 1 John 5:19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
• Isaiah 53:11He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
• John 17:3And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
• 1 John 3:22And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
• 1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
• Psalms 119:6Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
• Luke 6:46“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
• John 14:15“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
• John 15:10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
• Hebrews 5:9And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
• Revelation 22:14Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Commentaries on 1 John 2:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3And hereby we do know that we know him - If we keep the commandments of God, loving him with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, we have the fullest proof that we have the true saving knowledge of God and his Christ. The Gnostics pretended to much knowledge, but their knowledge left them in possession of all their bad passions and unholy habits; they, therefore, gave no proof that they had known either God or his Son Jesus - nor is any man…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And hereby we do know that we know him - To wit, by that which follows, we have evidence that we are truly acquainted with him, and with the requirements of his religion; that is, that we are truly his friends. The word “him” in this verse, seems to refer to the Saviour. On the meaning of the word “know,” see the notes at John 17:3. The apostle had stated in the previous part of this Epistle some of the leading points revealed by the Christian religion…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-11Verses 3-11 What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world, and this is man's regeneration; though never absolutely perfect here. Yet this observing…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-6Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will walk as Jesus walked, united with God and showing love for others.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. hereby--Greek, "in this." "It is herein," and herein only, that we know (present tense) that we have knowledge of (perfect tense, once-for-all obtained and continuing knowledge of) Him" (1Jo 2:4, 13, 14). Tokens whereby to discern grace are frequently given in this Epistle. The Gnostics, by the Spirit's prescient forewarning, are refuted, who boasted of knowledge, but set aside obedience. "Know Him," namely, as "the righteous" (1Jo 2:1, 29); our…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 John 2:3

• Obedience
• Righteous
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Acknowledge
• Advocate
• Assurance
• Faith
• Lie
• Stumble
• Hereby
• John, the Epistles of
• John, the First Epistle General of

Commentaries on 1 John 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings